World Acadian Congress
entering the home stretch
To the editor:
Last week, I informed my fellow directors from Maine serving on the international governing organization of the 2014 World Acadian Congress of my intent to step down from my position on the board and as Maine International president. This was a very difficult decision, but one which I feel is best both for me personally and the organization.
I have been involved in the World Acadian Congress from the very early efforts in 2009 to prepare the international region’s successful bid to host what will be the largest event ever to come to northern Maine. This has truly been a labor of love and the opportunity of a lifetime.
Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the many wonderful opportunities my leadership role with the Congress has provided, recent exciting changes and advancement in my professional career, and the realization that my young family is seeing less and less of me as the Congress draws ever near, caused me to pause and reflect.
The voice inside my head convincing me that we had entered the home stretch and that I could make it through August 2014 had become muted by the constant challenge of trying to juggle my many responsibilities at work, home, and with a number of other community organizations. In the end, I made my decision based on what was best for Maine’s most active involvement in the World Acadian Congress.
My colleagues first elected me to lead Maine’s International delegation with two primary mandates: To coordinate efforts to secure funding to ensure our participation in the Congress would be possible, and to take the lead with advocacy and awareness about the coming event.
Despite what seemed like insurmountable odds, given the fiscal environment in which we live, our efforts to work with the Governor and the Aroostook County legislative delegation to secure $1 million in state funding were successful. Had we not received these funds, our involvement in the 2014 World Acadian Congress would have not moved forward.
Recently, we received the memorandum of understanding from the State of Maine for the remaining balance of $500,000 to ensure all of the many activities and family reunions planned for the St. John Valley in August 2014 go on as planned. That, coupled with the fact that work on the Maine Regional Coordinating Committee has been greatly bolstered in recent weeks by a new infusion of enthusiastic community leaders and volunteers, made me realize that, to the best of our collective ability, we accomplished that initial mandate.
Unfortunately, despite our most valiant efforts, the $1 million in federal funding remains elusive. Although, I applaud the ongoing efforts on Senators Collins and King, and Congressman Michaud to continually search for opportunities.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the countless number of individuals who have been so helpful to me personally through this journey, and to all of the great people who have, are, and will roll up their sleeves to make the 5th World Acadian Congress in Acadia of the Lands and Forests the best ever! I especially thank the loyal and dedicated members of the committee who were there from the beginning and who placed their trust and confidence in me to help get this adventure off the ground and running!
Jason Parent
Caribou
